When it was revealed that John Lasseter had behaved inappropriately while at Disney and Pixar, it was only a matter of time before he exited the company. After Disney revealed that Lasseter would be leaving by the end of the year, industry insiders began to speculate on who would succeed him.
Today, Disney have appointed Jennifer Lee as Chief Creative Officer at Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Pete Doctor as Chief Creative Officer, Pixar Animation Studios. The 2 will be responsible for the creative oversight of their respective studios and will report directly to Alan Horn, Chairman, Walt Disney Studios.
“Jennifer Lee and Pete Docter are two of the most gifted filmmakers and storytellers I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with,” said Horn. “Pete, the genius creative force behind Up, Inside Out, and Monsters, Inc., has been an integral part of Pixar almost since the beginning and is a huge part of its industry-leading success. Jenn, in bringing her bold vision to the boundary-breaking Frozen, has helped infuse Disney Animation with a new and exciting perspective. Each of them embodies the unique spirit, culture, and values of these renowned animation studios, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have them to lead us into the future.”
Jennifer Lee joined Disney in 2011 as a co-writer on
Wreck-It Ralph before directing the Oscar-winning
Frozen. She was also a key member of
Zootopia's story team and is currently in production on next year's
Frozen 2.
“I am deeply grateful to everyone at Walt Disney Animation Studios and The Walt Disney Company for this opportunity,” said Lee. “Animation is the most collaborative art form in the world, and it is with the partnership of my fellow filmmakers, artists, and innovators that we look ahead to the future. My hope is to support the incredible talent we have, find new voices, and work together to tell original stories. The great films of Disney Animation – the films I loved as a kid and my daughter has grown up loving – are magical, timeless, and full of heart, and it is our goal to create films that carry on and grow this 95-year legacy for future generations.”
Pete Docter is known for co-directing some of the finest films in Pixar's library. These include:
Up, Inside Out and
Monsters Inc. He was one of Pixar's first employees when he joined the company in 1990 and is a member of its Brain Trust.
“I am excited and humbled to be asked to take on this role,” said Docter. “It is not something I take lightly; making films at Pixar has been my chronic obsession since I started here 28 years ago. I am fortunate to work alongside some of the most talented people on the planet, and together we will keep pushing animation in new directions, using the latest technology to tell stories we hope will surprise and delight audiences around the world.”
While many had anticipated these appointments, it's clear that Disney has chosen wisely. We look forward to new and exciting content from these very talented individuals.